Boxing, racing add excitement at local casinos

The weather in Central New York might currently be disappointing as winter has dragged on long past its end, but the excitement of the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona and Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel in Vernon will melt those winter blahs.

The thrill of boxing returns to Turning Stone Resort and Casino on March 29 with not one but two title bouts to headline ESPN Friday Night Fights. The nationally-televised event will feature a 12-round main event as North American Boxing Association Middleweight Champion and World Boxing Organization's number one contender Brian Vera of Austin, Texas defends his title against Donatas Bondorovas of Lithuania.

There will be a co-feature bout as well, as unbeaten WBO Latino Light Heavyweight champ Jackson Junior of Sao Paulo, Brazil -- who made his American debut at Turning Stone on Jan. 25 -- takes on contender Umberto Savigne of Cuba in a 10-round match up.

The Banner Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions event will also bring to the ring several undercard bouts. All bouts are subject to change.

Advertisement

Doors open at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center at 6:30 p.m., and the boxing excitement kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The live ESPN2 telecast begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25, 35, 45, and 70. Call the Turning Stone box office at (315) 361-7469 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com.

In other Turning Stone excitement, they will also host an Easter buffet dining celebration in their Conference Center on Sunday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $39 for adults, $19 for children 6 to 15 years old, and free for kids who are 5 and younger.

Their LOL Comedy Club at Turning Stone's Lava Lounge offers big city quality laugh-out-loud shows to keep the audience chuckling along with some of the best comedians around. Performances at the LOL Comedy Club are Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and are for 18 and older. The club offers a full bar and snack menu with table service, and room and show packages are available for comedy club performances as well as concerts.

Admission is $20 for booth seating and $15 for table seats, with $5 off table seat prices if paid before the day of the show.

Upcoming musical entertainment at Turning Stone includes:

March 29, 30: All Access Show Band in the Leopard Lounge at 10 p.m. Free.

April 3: Bret Michaels in the Showroom at 8 p.m. $50/55/65.

April 4: Parkside Drive in the Leopard Lounge at 9 p.m. Free.

April 5, 6: Parkside Drive in the Leopard Lounge at 10 p.m. Free.

April 6: Sully Erna in the Showroom at 8 p.m. $15/20/25.

Call 1-877-833-SHOW for tickets or more information on their live entertainment schedule. The Leopard Lounge is also the setting for DJ Bill T to spin favorite dance tunes every Monday through Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Turning Stone Resort and Casino is located at 5218 Patrick Road in Verona, right off of New York State Thruway exit 33. For more information visit:

The excitement at Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel is building as Central New Yorkers prepare not only for the nicer weather but the return of live harness racing to the track -- a mainstay in the Vernon area for six decades. This year's opening day for racing is scheduled for April 12 at 6:45 p.m. at Vernon Downs, pending regulatory approval, and the anniversary celebration of 60 years of racing at the Vernon track will include a live bugler signaling the races, spectacular fireworks after the racing, and T-shirt and magnet give-aways.

Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel is also offering an Easter eating gala, coming to their Champions Buffet on Sunday, March 31, and running from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for brunch and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. for dinner. Admission is $18.99 for adults, $7.99 for children 5 to 11, and free for kids younger than 5. The buffet menu is subject to change.

Time is running out for contestants to come in and thrill the audience with their singing prowess during the Rockokie contest ... a competition that will award $5,000 in prizes to the best vocalists. Rockokie is held on the Ring Eyed Pete's Bar stage in the Casino Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. for all aspiring singers who are 18 and older, with backing music performed live by the Bob Greco Band.

Winners of prizes -- including the $3,000 grand prize -- will be named on April 11.

For guests who simply want to listen to high quality entertainment, they can also see these free music acts coming up soon at Ring Eyed Pete's Bar:

March 29: The Billionaires in Ring Eyed Pete's Bar at 8 p.m.

March 30: Soul Mine in Ring Eyed Pete's Bar at 8 p.m.

April 5: Showtime at 9 p.m.

April 6: Fast Eddie and the Rusty Nuts at 9 p.m.

Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel is located at 4229 Stuhlman Rd. in Vernon, just south of the intersection with Route 5. For more information, log on to: www.vernondowns.com